Dragonfly @ Publika

Remember Coffee in Love? That alfresco cafe set in a Hartamas plant nursery closed recently but has been reincarnated nearby in Publika, enduring a dramatic transformation into Dragonfly.

Earlier entry on Coffee In Love: Oct. 17, 2011.

The cool concept here: this java joint doubles as a tattoo parlor, melding coffee art and body art.

A peek into the torture chamber. Dragonfly Tattoo Cafe is affiliated with the well-established Dragonfly tattoo parlors at Mid Valley and 1 Utama, so professionalism is assured.

Tattoos cost north of RM100, but come with free coffee to help ease the pain.

Cleanly etched work, looking sharp. Here's hoping it heals fast.

Only espresso and piccolo latte are available for now. Both taste pretty satisfying.

Coffee is served with old-fashioned, cracker-like biscuits ...

... and in hand-crafted cups with complimentary sunflower seeds (kuaci).

Cold fresh milk is also available, brought in weekly from a farm in Johor.

Not from Dragonfly, but we buzzed over to The Bee, also at Publika, to try The Last Polka's current promotional OJ Law flavor, named after the Malaysian indie musician. It's excellent, very creamy when not overly frozen, featuring caramelized banana ice cream mixed with rich chocolate walnut cake.

Dragonfly's decor is a pastiche of quirky-kinky sensibilities; it's worth visiting this cafe simply to sit at the low tables and admire all the intricacies of the surroundings (even the ceilings!).

Dragonfly,
Level UG, Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.
Open 10am-9pm.